AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hi.” Cindy flicked candy-pink nails at her, and skimmed her eyes over Bailey’s simple lemon shift dress.No competition here, Barbie, Bailey thought, and then felt ashamed. Jealousy was an ugly thing. “So, Bailey, how are you enjoying your time back in Ryker so far?”
“Good, thanks. A lot has changed, but all for the good.” She’d given up wondering how people knew so much about her. Small towns were like that. News spread like wildfire.
She let her eyes roam up and down the street. There were people lined on both sides. Kids chattered in excitement; parents tried to keep them in check. It was close to dusk, and someone had strung up yards of fairy lights that were starting to twinkle, along with the old-fashioned streetlamps. It was a beautiful setting, Bailey thought, especially when you added in the quaint shop fronts.
“There is no place quite like Ryker Falls,” Fin said. “You want a soda?”
She looked at the cooler bag at his feet and shook her head. “I’m good, thanks.”
“I made it.”
Bailey looked at Maggs as she arrived. Her usual smile wasn’t in place, and she seemed flustered.
“Hi, Maggie, you okay?” Bailey asked.
“Sure, just a busy day.”
Beautiful as always in an off-the-shoulder top and short skirt, teamed with a pair of high wedge sandals, Maggie looked her usual glamorous self. Bailey wasn’t sure why she thought something wasn’t right with her friend, but she did.
“Hi, Cindy, Fin,” Maggie said.
“You want a drink?” Fin waved at his cooler again, but Maggie shook her head.
“It’s starting now.”
Bailey turned at Fin’s words, and looked up the street.
“They start from the school,” he added.
“So the head ranger doesn’t have to be on a float?”
Fin shuddered. “Hell no. They’ve tried, but I pulled rank and told the others to do it.”
“He thinks he’s too cool,” Maggie said.
“No I don’t, I just don’t want to do it.”
“The others don’t have a problem.”
“Well, I do.” Fin’s eyes narrowed as he frowned at Maggie. Maggs was doing the same.Interesting. There was definitely some tension there, but as she didn’t want people prying into her life, she didn’t say anything.
“Where’s that loser you’re dating?”
“Fuck you!” Maggie snapped, and then she turned away to watch the parade.
Bailey shot Fin a look; he was staring at the back of Maggie’s head.
The music started to increase in volume then, so talking became difficult as the first float arrived. Bailey pushed her friend’s behavior aside until later.
“Look,” Cindy said, “it’s the police department.”
“The one with padding down his front and dressed in black and white stripes—which, if you didn’t already guess, means he’s a criminal—”
“No, I got that, actually,” Bailey said.
Fin nodded. “Nice work. Well, he’s Harry, one of the deputies. He wasn’t on duty the day we went in to report the shooting. His wife is Gail Pedderson, and she designs the float, much to the distress of the entire staff.”
“I’ve met her, actually.” Bailey remembered the small birdlike woman with bright eyes who seemed to never stop talking.
